Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7
In I Samuel 8, the people of Israel rejected God as their king and demanded a human king to be set over them to rule them like the nations around them. (Just doing something because someone else is doing it is often times a dumb idea). God reluctantly agreed but warned them through His servant Samuel that they would end up turning their lives over to the government. Sound familiar? Saul was chosen to be king. He was described as good looking and tall. I suppose he could have been called “tall, dark, and handsome”, a perfect candidate for the job as ruler over a nation. Just kidding. Saul was anointed as Israel’s king, but he proved to be a disobedient, ineffective ruler. Then God sent Samuel out to find the right man for the job, one who would be obedient and faithful to the LORD.
Samuel traveled to Bethlehem to see a man named Jesse who had eight sons, one of whom God had already chosen to be the new king over His chosen people. Jesse paraded seven of his sons before Samuel, one by one, likely beaming with pride over them. The first son was Eliab who was tall and handsome like Saul. Samuel assumed that he was the one, but God said, “No”. Eliab might have been pleasing to the eye, but God knew that he did not have what it would take to lead His people. Each one of the other sons was brought before Samuel, but God again said “No”, each time. I can’t help but wonder if Samuel wasn’t getting a little frustrated and/or puzzled. He asked Jesse if he had any more sons. Jesse replied that he had one more, the youngest, who was tending the sheep out in the field. Samuel said for Jesse to call for him. Jesse was probably thinking that there was no way that David could possibly be the chosen one. He was just a kid, the baby of the family, immature and given the lowest position in the family–a sheepherder.
David came and met with his father and Samuel. He, too, was described as handsome, but a bit sunburned from hours out in the field. He was a young teenager, likely appearing as a rugged outdoorsman, strong and muscular. Humans would consider him to have true leadership ability judging by his appearance, that is, if he was older, but only God could see into his heart and see his potential. Even though he was young and inexperienced as a leader of men, God would supply what he lacked. Samuel anointed David with oil, and God filled him with the Holy Spirit.
It is impossible for a person to discern another’s character from his or her outward appearance. A pretty, red apple may look really good on the outside, but bite into it and it may be rotten, with worms. But then again, I have eaten an apple that didn’t look so good on the outside, but, boy, was it tasty! The lesson here is to not judge anyone based on appearance. We shouldn’t be persuaded to try to impress a good looking person or shun one because of plain looks or simple dress. Treat all people with kindness. Give folks the benefit of the doubt. Some of the most accomplished people on earth have been folks who would not have won a beauty contest. It’s not what’s on the outside that counts, but what’s on the inside.